Sermons on Surprised By Suffering:

Dialogue With Faithful Judaism Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 19, 2016

We must always remember that the Church's first mission was to the Jews, the brothers and sisters of Jesus.

Thursday in the Octave of Easter Joy of the Gospel As we bask in the warm light of the Resurrection, we hear again the stories of the reaction given by various Jewish groups to the Passion, death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus. We do this for another forty days, and actually fifty up until ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:35-48

Denomination: Catholic

Support: Giving Real Support Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Dec 9, 2012

Give real support for friends in suffering by being present with them, providing them a listening ear and share the promises of God.

What can you do to a friend who is suffering? • Support him. 2 Cor 1:3-4 “… the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:11-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why It Hurts Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jul 31, 2011

When we consider pain, there are three particularly painful areas of life: our relationships, our work and finances, and our health. The pain that we experience in each of these areas of life can be traced to the judgments that God delivered after the fa

Sermon Notes July 31, 2011 FBCam Why it Hurts Genesis 3:16-19 CS Lewis, in “The Problem of Pain,” writes: “When I was an atheist, if anyone had asked me “why do you NOT believe in God, my reply would have been.... PAIN.. [People] cause pain by being born, and live by pain and in pain they ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:16-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

For Job's Comfort - Job 5:11

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Aug 8, 2011

For Job's Comfort - Job 5:11

For Job's Comfort - Job 5:11 Job 5:11 - He raises up the humble and makes sad people happy. I. The Humble Are Lifted Up II. Sad People Are Made Happy Whenever I'm very sad and unhappy about my life, I think of the greatest man, second to Jesus, that lived in pain, suffering and misery, I ...read more

Scripture: Job 5:11

Denomination: Pentecostal

"We Are Just Passing Through"

Contributed by Brad Henry on Nov 11, 2011

How to be patient and joyful in pain and trials.

I want to thank everyone for all the e mails yesterday. Over the past 13 years of writing I have lived my life out through what God has enabled me to write. My doctor’s appointment went well. My depression is severe but all I can tell you is that 1. God does not make mistakes 2. God has ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:10

Handcrafted By God

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 17, 2012

Is God bending, shaping, or polishing me right now? What’s my attitude: Am I thanking and praising God, or am I complaining about the process? Trials are intended not to provoke us but to prove us. See the present from the perspective of the future. Look

Opening illustration: The Steinway piano has been preferred by keyboard masters such as Rachmaninoff, Horowitz, Cliburn, and Liszt—and for good reason. It is a skillfully crafted instrument that produces phenomenal sound. Steinway pianos are built today the same way they were 140 years ago when ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What We Learn From Creation's Groanings Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 21, 2017

The sorrow we experience as we witness the devolution of culture creates a longing for Heaven and for Christ.

“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Hypocritical Argument Series

Contributed by Ron Henson on Jun 26, 2015

The most common argument against faith is the existence of suffering. If there was a God, there would be no suffering. This argument is hypocritical in that we choose suffering. God gave us the choice, and we chose suffering rather than bliss.

Suffering Romans 1:28 Introduction: 1. Atheists love to play this card, it is their trump card • The Problem of Evil takes the following form: A God that is all powerful would be able to prevent evil and suffering. A God that is all knowing would know that evil and suffering happen. A God ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

His Needs, Her Needs, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 25, 2001

Men and women are different. Surprised?

[The "Rules"] 1. The Female always makes the Rules. 2. The Rules are subject to change at any time without prior notification. 3. No Male can possibly know all the Rules. 4. If the Female suspects the Male knows all the Rules, she must immediately change some or all of the Rules. 5. The Female is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:4

Denomination: Baptist

The Helps Of Our Hurts Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 23, 2016

This sermon is based on Chapter 7 in Charles Swindoll's book: Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit. The sermon addresses Paul's thorn in the flesh and the role of suffering in our lives.

A. One day a teacher was getting her Wednesday night children’s class started. 1. She asked if anyone had any prayer requests. 2. One girl asked that they pray for her because school would soon start and she was going to a new school this year. 3. Another girl asked that they pray for her ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Hopeless People

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Dec 14, 2006

If there is hope for Ninevah -- surprise, there is hope for you!

My roommate in college wanted to be a missionary. He wanted to go to some distant and exotic part of the world and preach the Gospel. We both had met missionaries and had heard them tell their stories. My roommate and I had become good friends with a missionary to ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Rejoice In The Lord Always!

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Jan 16, 2022

The source of our true rejoicing is found only through a right relationship with God! Everything apart from him is crumbling and disappointing. Yet our God is eternal, glorious, lacks in no way, and never fails. So those who enjoy a living fellowship with Christ are given true gladness of heart.

Are we known as a joyful people? Is that the reputation we have, that we’re often rejoicing? Perhaps not. On first impressions, our worship is pretty sombre. In speaking about our faith, most of us are reserved, and we keep our emotions well in check. Even when we have what we call “the celebration ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4, James 1:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Want To Be Forever Great?

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Oct 28, 2012

Want to Be Forever Great? 1) Be eager to serve; 2) Be ready to suffer.

A twelve-year-old won a backstage pass to meet her favorite vocalist. As she was shaking hands with the pop star the fan blurted: “I would give anything to sing like you!” “Anything?” the star answered while wiping the sweat of her performance from her eyes. “Would ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Lutheran

August, My Month Of Uncommon Testimonies

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 29, 2025

Uncommon testimonies are not fabricated stories; they are living proofs of divine intervention that turn mockery into amazement and trials into triumphs.

AUGUST, MY MONTH OF UNCOMMON TESTIMONIES By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 126:1-3 Supporting Texts: Revelation 12:11, Luke 1:37, Job 5:9, Mark 5:25-34, John 11:40 INTRODUCTION: Every month carries a divine agenda, and August is prophetically ordained to be a month of uncommon ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Defining Trials Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 4, 2010

Trials are designed to teach us so that our conduct and character changes.

Defining Trials Hebrews 12:5-11 Rev. Brian Bill 7/4/10 About two weeks ago I received a phone call from someone who was in great distress. After recounting the details of what had happened, the following question was uttered in a loud, yet broken voice: “Pastor Brian, does God hate ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:5-11

Denomination: Baptist